DIY SUMP Filter

[dmkscott]

Started my Koi rearing tank up, Man do they make a mess, rooting around in the gravel and stirring up the bottom of the tank.

I decided if I am going to have happy fish until spring, when I dig my pond, I had better build a large sump filter for my 250g tank.

Currently have 2 fluval 405s a Magnum 300 hooked up to a fluval 305 in series, the 305 has lava rock in it for bio filtration. I have done some research and found this was not the best idea. THe lava rock has very little surface area although it is better than nothing.

Wanting to turn my 250g tank to a reef aquarium when the Koi are in there new home I thought I should build a sump filter, found a cheap 75g aquarium $50.00 with the stand.

The previous owner said that it leaked at the top 2 inches down, when I filled it with water I could not get it to leak. THe tank came with silicone so I opted to strip the old silicone out of the tank without breaking the seal and re apply with new silicone, hope this is the correct procedure?

Stripped the edging of the top of the tank as well it was origonally brown the painted black and painted, looked unsightly.

Went down to the local salvage yard at the dump and picked up four panes of glass and started fitting in some baffles.

I split the tank in three sections 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 each, I think this should hold plenty of bio material and in the future allow room for a protien skimmer etc. for the reef aquarium.

I purchased a Maxflo Laguna pump second hand a while ago, so I pulled it out to clean the pump up a bit. To my dismay it only ran for a few seconds before the ceramic impeller shaft broke in two. Took the top off of it and upon inspection the impeller shaft was well worn along with the bushings. Dam time for a new impeller, 54.00 later have the pump together ready to go. It might be a bit of over kill but I would rather be able to throw a valve in the line and reduce the flow if nessasary, rather than have insufficiet flow with a 5ft head.

I intended on having the filter completed by now, but when I went down to the local Home depot to purchase some plexi for the drip tray, WOOOOW :shock: is it every pricy, so alternatly I have decided to watch the local Salvage center, went down there today and found enough for one tray Woot Woot :smokey: It was an old display case for Kershaw knifes.

Glued 1inch glass sides on the first 15 1/4 x 15 1/4 drip tray tongiht.

Hope my luck continues so I can keep this project cheap after the misfortune of the 1million hour impeller set back.

I will take some pics of the drip tray after I have drilled it.

Edited September 27, 2009 by dmkscott